B cell

B cell

noun Biology.
1.
Also called B lymphocyte. a type of lymphocyte, developed in bone marrow, that circulates in the blood and lymph and, upon encountering a particular foreign antigen, differentiates into a clone of plasma cells that secrete a specific antibody and a clone of memory cells that make the antibody on subsequent encounters.
2.
Also called beta cell. a cell in the islet of Langerhans that produces and secretes insulin.

Origin:
1970–75; (def. 1) perhaps B(one-derived); (def. 2) B(ursa of Langerhans-derived)
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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B cell is always a great word to know.
So is cell fusion. Does it mean:
the close external resemblance of an organism to some different organism, such that it benefits from mistaken identity, as seeming to be unpalatable
the merging of two or more cells into a single cell
American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

B cell n.

  1. See beta cell.

  2. A type of lymphocyte that, when stimulated by a particular antigen, differentiates into plasma cells that synthesize the antibodies that circulate in the blood and react with the specific antigens. Also called B lymphocyte.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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American Heritage
Science Dictionary
B cell  
Any of the lymphocytes that develop into plasma cells in the presence of a specific antigen. The plasma cells produce antibodies that attack or neutralize the antigen in what is called the humoral immune response. B cells mature in the bone marrow before being released into the blood. Also called B lymphocyte. Compare T cell.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Abbreviations & Acronyms
B cell
bone-marrow-derived cell
The American Heritage® Abbreviations Dictionary, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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